Under the Acacia Tree

Whenever I see workers repairing things around the Church I am often impressed by how quickly and efficiently they work.   The most recent example of that kind of labor was the repair of the Gymnasium roof.  From start to finish the roof was deconstructed and put back together again in two and a half days, with an extraordinary amount of team work. Several feet of rotted wood, which was probably the source of our recent leaks in the Gym were torn out and repaired, the eaves were tested and the gutters checked so everything is guaranteed to be good to go for the length of the guarantee.

The soot marks at the rear of the Gym caused by the porous roofing have been removed and the tiles that were damaged in the ceiling have been replaced.  The total cost of the repairs was $16,800.  The Diocese, because we have a Jubilee School on our grounds, is responsible for half the costs, so we will be paying $8,400 as our share.  It’s another good example of team work and I’m sure you join me in thanking the principal of the school, Ms. Rayford, as well as Diocesan officials,  for working with us to accomplish our task.   It has been a long journey to determine how best to deal with a complex problem, but the goal has been achieved.

When we work together, good things happen.   The goal may not be achieved, at times, as quickly as we would like because consensus is not an easy thing to build.   Different people will inevitably have different ideas about how to deal with a specific problem, but when people share ideas and come to a consensus about how best to deal with an opportunity that presents itself the solution while longer in getting to a solution than some people might like is usually a better solution. 

Consensus building requires prayer, seeks the will of God and not "my" will, is based on mutual trust among the people making the decisions, and honors the teachings of the scriptures and the Church.   It’s not about majority rule, nor about compromise – I don’t just give in to keep the peace --, there are no winners and losers, nor are there usually quick decisions, and where possible all involved in the decision engage in the discussion about the best way to go.   It’s team work and it’s the way the Church urges us to make decisions in our parishes.  Consensus is tough work, but it makes for a more lasting bond among the decision makers and the people whom they serve. 
 
 
(Rev.) John Geaney, CSP
Pastor
Dec. 27, 2009